NFL
2 Years Ago and you would have not caught me even mentioning the American sport, but after being drawn to watching it I have fallen for NFL. I bought Madden NFL 11
and have immensely enjoyed all modes of the game, being drafted into the Minnesota Vikings in the Be a SuperStar mode (similar to Fifa's be a pro mode) and taking the same team to the Superbowl in the franchise mode. And if you know anything about the sport, you know that there was a big fear that there was going to be a delay to the start of the season because of a 'Lockout'. For those people who do not follow any American sport, this word spreads dread around the American sporting nation, as the teams and the players fight over who gets the money the sport generates. I think an idea like this would be fantastic in the Premier League and European football, but its taken this long for UEFA to get round to fair spending laws that something like this would take years longer to implement. However, the lockout has been fixed with an agreement made, 53% to teams, 47% to players, and training is due to begin today, after a week of draft picks and re-signings. I'm sorry to anyone reading this to try and get a summary of all the trades that are going on, but there's no way I can report on the sheer volume of movement. Just before the start of the season I will sum up the biggest signings of the off-season, and my picks to make the Superbowl.
Cricket
I was very happy to be on track with my prediction for the 1st Test match with England recording a comfortable victory after a fantastic last day performance from the England bowlers. However I was disappointed by the Indian batting line-up, and in particular the little master, who failed again to perform on a big stage. His batting was ultra-defensive, even Dravid had a faster scoring rate, and was lucky to last as long as it did. His technique was sloppy and I really don't think hes anywhere near the same player he was. However that wasn't the factor that lead to the loss. To be the top side in the world you have to be strong in all three aspects of the game, batting bowling and fielding. Their batting and bowling definitely lives up to the mark, at least on occasions, but their fielding is woeful. They are lazy, haphazard and even their wicketkeeper is sloppy. Out of the two keeper-batsmen in the match Prior would get the gloves everytime, even if you could argue Dhoni is a better batsmen on average.
At the time of writing this England are 108-6 in their first innings, but apparently the conditions are extremely favourable to bowlers, so I think whoever takes a lead into the second innings will stand a huge chance of winning, but I wouldn't like to guess at a winner. If England can get around 200 or more, they'll fancy themselves to get India out cheaply, with the swing bowlers they have at their disposal.
Football
Man City have caught the transfer headlines once again with the ridiculous money capture of Aguero, but were also in the headlines for the wrong reasons with a previous signing, Balotelli. Balotelli should have been fined for that shoddy show of disregard for the friendly, Mancini was right to pull him off when he did, players should treat every game 100% and his lack of respect for the club and manager came through then. Personally, I'd sell him, his temper is unacceptable for a Premier League player. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14270989.stm
Aguero, however, could be a great capture, even if the price they paid was a bit over the odds. His skill and pace could make him a real handful in the premiership, and its exactly the player city need if Tevez is on his way.
Check next week for a roundup of whose moved and who looks to be on their way in the last month of the transfer window.
Formula One
After Hamilton's storming victory in Germany last week McLaren seem to be moving in the right direction after the first day of Practice in Hungary, with Hamilton topping the time sheet in both sessions. In a reversal of fortune, both Red Bull drivers seem to be struggling after their rivals sudden improvement on the technical side of things, languishing in around 5th place in the second practice. I'm backing Lewis Hamilton to take his second in a row, and a chance for Jenson Button to go high as well, with Alonso maybe splitting the Mclarens.
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